-Obviously a well-fed baby-
If the topic of breastfeeding makes you uncomfortable or squeamish, you may want to stop reading. Or, better yet, get over it.
Seriously, a woman can serve up her cleavage on a platter in nearly any public setting, and nobody blinks an eye (because they’re all staring), but if a woman chooses to feed her baby in public? Scandalous! I know, I know, the breastfeeding environment in general has improved, but I’m still shocked at the comments I hear sometimes. Some people are just downright grossed out.
Everyone is entitled to their (misguided) opinions, but how can something so natural be so disturbing to some people? God gave women breasts to feed babies, and to manipulate men, but mainly to feed babies. I’m not a breastfeeding extremist, but I feel strongly that …
Someday, I’ll wish I’d written down the funny things my kids say. So, in order to avoid the pang of regret, I’ll keep track of them here:
September 2011:
Anna: Mommy and daddy are married.
Me: That’s right. And are mommy and daddy happy?
Anna: No. You’re married.
David: Anna, you’re crazy!
Anna: I’m not crazy, I’m beautiful!
Me: Anna, who taught you how to be sweet?
Anna: David
Anna to David: I’m not a boy. I don’t do dishes.
Me: Anna, who taught you how to be cute?
Anna: David
Me: And who taught you how to be funny?
Anna: Baby Erica
Me: And who taught you how to be smart?
Anna: Catherine
Me: Anna, that makes mommy very mad.
Anna: Don’t get mad, get glad!
October 2011:
Curtis: Look at the pretty sunset Anna.
Anna: Yeah, God made it for me.
Anna Singing …
Break me and shape me
Move me and shake me
Tear me down to build me up again
Too hard and I crumble
Too soft and I stumble
Mold me with your loving hands
Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.
Isaiah 64:8
I attended the funeral of a woman today whom I did not know very well personally. We’d met several times at networking functions, and I was instantly impressed by her warm presence and ability to really look someone in the eye. She was a pillar of the community and a dear friend to many of my friends and colleagues.
I can honestly say it was one of the most beautiful services I’d ever been to. No generic accolades or vague terms of endearment. This was a woman who’d truly touched people.
As stories were told of her enduring nature and generous heart, I couldn’t help but focus on the large pillar candles flickering on the alter. I began to wonder about my own legacy. What will be said at my funeral? Will I be known as …
2007: The day we brought Brady (left) home from the shelter
to be a friend to Morgan (right).
“Where’s Brady?”
It’s a question I dread having to answer. What do I say? How do I tell my two year old one of her “puppies” got ran over? Do I just tell her the truth?
Do I tell her he went to live with Jesus? Even as I type that I snicker, thinking of Brady tearing through doggy heaven, knocking things over, splashing through any water he could find, and wallowing in heavenly cow dung. (Yes, he had an addiction to rolling in bovine poo, although in heaven it probably wouldn’t smell bad.)
If I’m being honest, I have to admit Brady was often a pain. We brought him home from the Humane Society in the …
See? I told you she was cute!
Ten weeks ago I gave birth to a delightful baby girl named Erica June. Double motherhood is exhausting, but she’s totally worth it.
I’m not sure if I didn’t notice it as much the first time around, or if I was even more sleep deprived than I am this time, but people say annoying/insulting/ignorant things to new moms! I’m sure they’re well meaning, but I thought I would come up with a list of things you probably shouldn’t say to or ask a new mom (unless you’re just feeling mean spirited).
1. Is he/she sleeping through the night?
Um, just look at these dark circles under my eyes. And the fact that I just swerved into that wall while walking down the hallway. Do I look like I’m getting sleep to you? …